It was a public rebuke to those leading the talks for being partisan and operating more as agents of rich countries rather than as neutral ombudsmen. By the standards of diplomatic niceties practiced at such jamborees, these were harsh words spoken before the gathering of 195 countries at Bonn at the conclusion of the intermediate talks.
This is not the first time that India or other developing countries have complained about the UN secretariat and those chosen to lead several parallel groups within the negotiations working on a partisan agenda. But this would be the first time India has openly criticised the functioning and used such a reprimanding tone chiding those at the helm. On previous occasions, G77 countries have raised concerns about the 'facilitators' pushing their own agenda rather than taking on board views of all countries. The role of the UN secretariat too has been on occasion noted to be partisan though keeping with the way such negotiations go, diplomats and negotiators have preferred to put up counter-manoeuvres rather than raise issues directly.
A well-staffed permanent secretariat headed by the executive secretary is meant to play a neutral facilitator and ombudsman. When talks break into smaller groups, facilitators are also chosen from the negotiators to lead and conduct the talks. But at all times, the talks are required to be driven by countries and facilitators are expected to play the role of a referee. Read the full report here.
Source: Nitin Sethi, TNN, New Delhi.
